Manchester United have a decent chance of qualification to the Champions League next season and the manager is already planning for life next season. Jose Mourinho is determined to spend big to try and get top transfer targets to the club at the end of the season and this might see him sell a few star players at the club. One such player who is constantly linked with an exit is skipper Wayne Rooney.
The English international has not been able to keep himself fit this season and has lost his place in the squad under Jose Mourinho. He managed to become the top goal scorer in the history of the club earlier this season, but his contributions to the squad have become growingly frustrating for the fans and the manager. He has just three appearances to his name since February and is not looking like an option for Mourinho anymore this season. So, is it finally time for United to show him the door?
Rooney has ironically been linked with an exit in each of the last four transfer windows but the Red Devils have stuck with their talisman. However, they have nothing to show for their faith this season and it is looking more and more likely that Rooney is in his final season at the club.
Still one of the most exciting playmakers in world football, Rooney has been used in a slightly withdrawn role under Jose Mourinho and has six goals and seven assists in 31 appearances for his side, most of which have come from the bench. Though it is a decent outcome for a 31-year old on the fringes of the first team, United are determined to improve on the options currently in the squad and will bring in more competition for Rooney this summer.
The Red Devils are looking at a number of playmakers and attackers who can help them in the challenges next season, while Mourinho wants to let go of the likes of Juan Mata as well. This will leave United a bit short on experience in the first team squad, especially with Michael Carrick and Zlatan Ibrahimović also looking like they are in the last few months at the club.
Rooney’s leadership abilities and his big game mentality are surely going to be missed if he is sold, but United need to desperately take the next step as soon as possible and there is a lingering chance that the skipper might hinder this process.
Rooney can still be effective, but only if Mourinho feels he can be. But at the moment, the Portuguese tactician does not have the English striker in his mind, planning for the first team next season, so it is best for all involved that the 31-year old moves on at the end of the season. It is times like these that the cliché ‘you either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain’ applies perfectly. Do you think United should sell Rooney before he is branded a villain?
